yyz, I have always followed your posts, and am surprised you wound up purchasing Thiel CS3.7s ( not judging, if you enjoy them ). I go dac direct ( through a top model Luminous Audio passive unit ), and my system needs zero additional gain, and has plenty of it. I was part of an organized cable shootout several months ago, and the equipment used was all Benchmark. What I came away with, and many others concurred with my findings, was the total neutrality of the Benchmark gear.......no color of any kind, no editorializing of any kind, just what was on the recordings. Enjoy, be well and stay safe. Always, MrD.
Some love for the Benchmark HPA4/LA4
Making this thread to show my love for this amazing preamp. Yea, all the use usual descriptions apply. Yadda yadda it is great.
It is 1:15 AM in the morning and my kid and wife are asleep. I am not cranking it but listening at very very low volume (I have great headphones available but it sounds amazing on the speakers right now). It is the preamp that is doing the great sound at low volume. I won't get into details., but damn this is something special. I am on my 4 or 5th scotch but do let that cloud your perception of what I am saying. I knows what I am talking about.
You guys going direct to amp from DAC. Put this into the circuit (for $2500) and tell me it is not better.
It is 1:15 AM in the morning and my kid and wife are asleep. I am not cranking it but listening at very very low volume (I have great headphones available but it sounds amazing on the speakers right now). It is the preamp that is doing the great sound at low volume. I won't get into details., but damn this is something special. I am on my 4 or 5th scotch but do let that cloud your perception of what I am saying. I knows what I am talking about.
You guys going direct to amp from DAC. Put this into the circuit (for $2500) and tell me it is not better.